Neck-band clamp mechanism



T. J. YATES NECK BAND CLAMP MECHANISM July 7, 1931.

Filed Oct. 16. 1929 Patented July 7, 1931 FFIE THOMAS J. YATES, OF SALEM, MASSACZ-EUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO YATES MACHINE COM- PANYQOF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS, A C(JRPORATEOH' OF MASSACHUSETTS NECK-BAND CLAMP izrnonanrsi/r Application an October 10, 1929. Serial no. 399,987.

This invention relates to improved mechanism -foroperating the neck-band clamp of a bosom press. Heretofore considerable difficulty has been experienced in the operation of bosom presses due to the failure of the neck-band clamp to hold the neck-band firm ly in position. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved clamp-operating mechanism which is simple, convenient and sure in operation. My invention may be embodied in a mechanism which includes a stem extending rearwardly from the neckband clamp, the stem carrying a suitable compression spring which may be compressed by a manually operable cam device to clamp resiliently against the forward face of the neck-band, holding it securely in position until the operation is completed.

For a more complete description of the invention reference may be had to the fol lowing description and to the drawings, of Which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of the body portion of a neck-band appliance.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section similar to Figure 3, but showing the parts in a different position of operation.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the neckband clamp and attached parts.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a typical bosom press on which a neck-band appliance is used.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 7 represents a bosom press which includes a pair of bosom boards 10 adapted to engage the under face of a steam chest 11 which 'issupported on a suitable frame 12. During the pressing of the bosom of a shirt on one of thebosom boards, the other bosom board is available for the replacement of a pressed shirt by an unpressed one. In order to assist in the proper location of the shirt on the bosom board a neck-band ap- Eliance 13 is provided, the ends of the neckand of a shirt being clamped to the body 14 of the neck-band appliance. The body 14 is preferably a metal casting such as is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. A neck-band clamp 15 is mounted on the body 14 and is movable relatively thereto so as to cause a downwardly extending portion 16 of the clamp to engage the forward face 17 of the body and to clamp the neck-band of the shirt thereagainst.

According to the invention the neck-band clamp 15 may be provided with a stem 18 which, as shown, may be attached thereto as by a screw 19. The stem 18 extends rearwardly through a portion of the body 14 and projects therefrom a sufiicient distance to carry a compression spring 20. The rear end of this spring is adapted to bear against a suitable abutment such as a nut 21 which may be threaded on the rear end portion of the stem 18. The forward end of the spring may bear against a perforated block 22 Which is adapted to slide on the stem 18. Between the block 22 and a rear face 23 of the body 14 I mount a cam member 24. This cam member may be a portion of a forked piece 25 having a handle portion extending upwardly according to the position of operation. A pin 26 extends transversely through the two cam elements 24, this pin also extending through a slot 27 in the stem 18. The end portions of the pin 26 are adapted to slide in a pair of grooves 28 in the body 14. The cam members 24 are characterized by a greatejr dimension in one direction than in another direction perpendicular thereto, these directions lying in a plane per-' pendicular to the pin 26.

Figure 3 illustrates the cam elements 24 in a position in which the shorter dimension is interposed between the rear face 23 of the body and the block 22. Figure 4 illustrates the cam elements 24 in a position in which the greater dimension is interposed between the rear face 23 of the body and the block 22. The nut 21 may be adjusted so that When the cam elements 24 are in the position shown in F igure3 the metal block 22 is adjacent to the cam elements 24 but permits the forward motion of the clamp 15 to a position spaced from the forward face 17 of the body. The

differences of the dimensions of the cam elements 24 are such that when the handle 25 is swung rearwardly so as to turn the cam elements to the position shown in Figure 4, the space between the clamp 15 and the face 17 is taken up and, in addition, the spring 20 is suitably compressed so that it pushes rearwardly on the nut 21 and thus holds the clamp 15 resiliently against the face 17 or against a neck-band which may have been inserted therebetween. Thus by a simple rearward swing of the handle 25 the clamp 15 may be firmly and resiliently held against the face 17 of the body l l. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cam elements 24: are preferably of approximately rectangular contour, a flat face 29 being formed one end to engage the rear face 23 when the handle 25 is moved rearwardly. This flat face prevents any accidental release of the clamp 15 until the handle 25 is swung forwardly. The forward motion of the clamp 15- and the stem 18. when the clamping action is relieved, may be limited by a suitable stop such as the lower portion 13 of the screw 19 which, as shown, may project into an aperture 3 1 of the body 14 and may bring up against the forward wall of this aperture when the clamp moves forwardly. In order to hold the clampin its forward position when the spring 20 is released, a pair of springs 32 may be provided, these springs being considerably weaker than the spring 20. The clamp 15 may also have pair of lateral guides 33 to prevent rocking motion on theaxis of the stem 18, these guides being adaptedto slide loosely in suitable grooves 34 in the body.

I- claim:

1. Mechanism of the class described comprising a neck-band appliance, a neck-bandclamp having a portion engageable with the front face of said appliance, a stem secured to said clamp GXLGDCllDg rearwardly through said appliance and projecting therefrom, a spring and an abutment on the projecting portion of said stem, the abutment being engaged by the rearward end of the spring, and cam ineansbetweensaid spring and said appliance movable to press said spring rearwardl-y, whereby said clamp is pressed resiliently against the face of said appliance.

2. Mechanism of the class described comprising a neck-band appliance, a neck-band clamp, a stem on said clamp extending rearwardly through said appliance, a spring on the rearward portion ofsaid stem, an abutment on said stem engaged by the rearward end ofsaidspring, and a cam member between the forward end of said spring and the rear face of'said appliance, said cam member being movable to press said clamp and stem rearwardly by means of said spring.

31 Meclianism of the class described, comprising a neck-band appliance, aneck-band clamp, a stem extendingrearwardly from said clamp, an abutment on said stem spaced rearwardly from said appliance, and a spring and cam member alined between said abutment and said appliance, said cam member being movable to compress said spring to press said clamp rearwardzly.

45. Mechanism of the class described comprising a neck-band appliance, a neck-band clamp, a stem extending rearwardly from said clamp, an abutment on said stemspaced rearwardly from said appliance, a spring hearing on said abutment, a cam member bearing on said appliance and said spring and movable to compress said spring to press said clamp rearwardly, and a handle on said cam member.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature. I

THOMAS J. YATES. 

